Chris Stewart is the new chief executive of SA aged care provider Helping Hand

A financial services and acquisitions expert has been appointed as the new chief executive of SA aged care provider Helping Hand.

Helping Hand chief executive Chris Stewart

• Helping Hand’s new $37m aged care home for 110 people

A financial services and acquisitions expert has been appointed as the new chief executive of SA aged care provider Helping Hand.

Chris Stewart will step into the role on January 7, taking over from Ian Hardy who is retiring after 28 years in the top job.

Mr Stewart was previously managing director of accounting and professional services firm Hood Sweeney, and has also held non-executive director and committee roles with Shelter SA, Windmill Theatre Co and the Churchill Trust.

“With the recently announced Royal Commission, introduction of the single aged care quality standards, and the increasing options for how people wish to obtain their care, it is an incredibly exciting time for the industry and I am looking forward to being a part of it,” Mr Stewart said.

“There is immense opportunity to continue to work with the board and team at Helping Hand, to build upon the organisation’s strong foundations and expand into new services and business models.

“It is a privilege to lead Helping Hand and build upon the immense legacy left by Ian Hardy.”

Helping Hand has been providing aged care services in South Australia since 1953, providing home care, retirement living and residential care services to more than 5500 clients annually.

The not-for-profit employs 1550 staff and 370 volunteers, and is currently undertaking redevelopments of its Parafield Gardens and Ingle Farm aged care homes.

A new $37 million, 110-room care home at Golden Grove is due to open in April 2019.

Mr Hardy, who has overseen the group’s activities since 1990, will retire at the end of this year after being appointed chair of the Federal Government’s Aged Services Industry Reference Committee.

The newly formed committee will be reviewing the skills and qualifications needed to support the long-term needs of aged care consumers.

“I am thrilled with the appointment of Chris Stewart to the role of chief executive,” Mr Hardy said.

“There is a business imperative, for all aged care providers, to reform and create new ways of delivering services.

“I leave with the confidence that Chris has the right leadership qualities and commitment to see Helping Hand thrive into the future.”

Helping Hand chair Rosalie Pace said Mr Stewart’s experience in the negotiation of “acquisitions, partnerships and new ventures”, would be invaluable as the aged care sector went through “immense and rapid change”.

“Chris is a strong leader who will bring with him three decades of business, customer service and governance experience,” she said.

“His hands-on expertise in financial services, health and aged care, technology and professional services places him in good stead to lead Helping Hand into the future.”